A high achiever, she excelled in anything she put her mind to, her family said.

Dr Diessel was dux in junior school at Emmanuel College and competed at state athletics championships. She was also a skilled and confident skier, conquering pistes in Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

"She lived life pretty full on," Tanya said.

"She loved to travel, she was very independent and loved to go exploring all over the world.

"She did scuba diving, skydiving, visited third world countries on her own.

"She just made the most out of everything. She was very switched on."

Mr Diessel said it was difficult for family members to choose a favourite memory of their beloved daughter and sister.

"There's 27 years of this," he said.

"She was very competitive and an achiever. If she wanted it, she made it happen."